China resolute in boosting friendly cooperation with ASEAN

SINGAPORE - China supports the growth of ASEAN and is resolute in boosting friendly cooperation with the Southeast Asian bloc, President Xi Jinping said Saturday in a speech at the National University of Singapore.

He noted that by the end of the year the ASEAN Economic Community will be in place, which will be the first ever sub-regional economic community in Asia.

China, he added, will firmly support the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community, as well as ASEAN's leading role in promoting regional cooperation in East Asia.

Speaking highly of the history and development of ASEAN, Xi said that neighborhood is the starting point of China's development initiatives such as the "Belt and Road" and vision of building a community of common destiny.

Meanwhile, he welcomes neighboring countries to board China's express train of development.

Four-point proposal for boosting cooperation between China, neighbors

President Xi also said that his country and its neighbors shoulder a historic responsibility to maintain Asian peace and stability.

In a four-pronged proposal, he called for concerted efforts to safeguard peace and tranquillity, dovetail development strategies, expand security cooperation and cement people-to-people amity.

China welcomes neighbors to join "Belt and Road" initiative

In the address, Xi also said China's neighboring countries are the primary cooperation partners under the Belt and Road Initiative and should be the first to enjoy the benefits of it.

The China-proposed initiative, he added, is dedicated to development, cooperation and openness, and characterized by equality and mutual benefit on the basis of consultation, cooperation and sharing.

Over 60 countries and international organizations have expressed interest in active involvement, and a number of major bilateral and multilateral projects have been under way, he noted.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by Xi in 2013 and comprising the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, is aimed at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes.